A Golden Summer Day - Facebook Prize

With the latest winter storm leaving the USA I thought it would be fun to share this photograph taken in the dog days of summer. This was the choice of Glenda Ganis of Los Angeles, California, who won this 8x10 by participating on my Facebook page. Congratulations Glenda!

If you would like a chance to win one of my fine art photographs then head over to Facebook and "like" my page. That is where the fun happens. Then when the next contest rolls around you will be ready to win!

Stay warm my friends!

Golden Bliss
A dog days of summer photo of an inviting front porch next to a perennial garden full of flowers and a golden retriever dog basking in the warm light.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

February 2011 Free Desktop Wallpaper Calendar

For the February 2011 wallpaper calendar I chose a harbinger of spring. I had decided to do flowers for the calendar this year and had to ponder what flower blooms in February? Then I remembered that the amaryllis bulbs in my home bloom in February. I liked that this perfect crimson flower had a tiny vein of white. It gave it a personality all its own in my mind.

You might have noticed that I have expanded the number of monitor sizes available and have also offered one for an iPhone4. I hope you find the perfect version for your use and enjoy this splash of red in the month of love.

download your free desktop wallpaper calendar for February 2011
1024x768 1280x800 1280x1024 iPhone4

Easy Instructions
After clicking on the size you want
you will be at my Flickr page. Simply click on
"Download the Original size of this photo."
The file will then download to your desktop or iPhone4!

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Framed Red Flower Photo - Tropical Beauty

It was a warm summer day when I took this photograph of a coral red hibiscus. The bushy plant with dark waxy leaves was peppered with beautiful blossoms that day. The flowers only last for a day before they shrivel and drop, but their short life is brilliant. My hibiscus lives inside now as it would not survive the bitter cold Colorado winter. It musters up one little pale blossom occasionally. But I know that this summer it will burst forth in all its beauty once again.

Tropical Beauty Framed OOAK

My Colorado photography studio is featuring a one of a kind double matted and framed photo of a luscious coral red tropical hibiscus on a dark background.

click here for purhase information on this one of a kind framed photograph

If you are interested in a 5x7 unframed fine art photograph of this image check here.

Do not forget to order your Valentine note cards. Valentine's Day is only three weeks away!
Click here to find out how to purchase these note cards today.

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Redstone Winter - Colorado Landscape Photography

The winter wind is sharp today but the sun is bright as I walk down the dusty dry dirt road. It is unusual to be so dry in January. The warm sun is welcome none the less and takes the sting out of the cold air. The white bare trunks of the cottonwood trees catch my attention as they stand out prominently against the red sandstone cliff that gives this valley its name, Redstone Canyon. My home.

Redstone Winter
The valley of Redstone Canyon is named for the beautiful red sandstone cliffs found there. A winter stand of cottonwood trees with their white bark showing prominently provides a contrast against the sandstone cliff.
click here for purchase information on this 11x14 photograph

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Framed Black and White Nature Photo - Dreaming of Spring

This year I am offering "ready to hang," one of a kind, framed pieces of fine art photography for your home decor. Let me do the work of finding the perfect frame and mat to go with my photography. My first piece is perfect for a gift or small space in your home. The silhouette of a small bird resting in a thicket of tree branches against a stormy spring sky is elegantly double matted in black in an 8x10 black frame.

I have lots of ideas and combinations to work on in the next several weeks. Let me know if you like this idea of offering my photography ready to hang right out of the box. Thanks!

Dreaming of Spring Framed OOAK
My Colorado photography studio is featuring a one of a kind black matted and framed photo of a small bird silhouette resting on tree branches against a gray storm clouded sky. The 3.5x5 photo is elegantly double matted in black and in an 8x10 black frame.
click here for purchase information on the one of a kind framed fine art photograph

Dreaming of Spring 5x7 Photograph
My Colorado photography studio is featuring a black and white photo of a small bird silhouette resting on tree branches against a gray storm clouded sky.
click here for purchase information on the 5x7 fine art photograph

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

A Healthy Start with a Bowl of Berries

Last year I lost 17 pounds. I gained a couple back over the holidays but I am getting back to better habits again. The Christmas cookies are gone! I have no doubt I will lose the last few pounds and be back to the weight I was in my twenties. No kidding! You may ask how I am doing this. The easiest answer is quality homemade food; no sugar, no white flour, no food in a box. It is satisfying, nourishing and weight reducing. And I could not feel more energetic. If you would like to know more details on how you can lose those excess holiday pounds I highly recommend the "South Beach Diet." It is a healthy plan and has worked for me. Now I'm going to make this luscious bowl of berries disappear!

Berries
A bowl of fresh red raspberries and blueberries splashed with milk
makes a healthy breakfast still life.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Mountain Majesty in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado

The sky was a beautiful blue with white puffy clouds when we headed down the mountain. The view was snow capped mountain tops as far as you could see. The air, even though summer, had a raw bite that reminded you with each step that you were at the mercy of a landscape that had no mercy or pity for your human frailty. It is a feeling of smallness and at the same time a feeling of being connected to all the wonder about you.

A storm front approached and it was time to leave lest we be reminded again of our short comings. I looked up just in time to see the approaching clouds create an angle that matched the mountains perfectly creating a zig zag window in the vista. Do you see it? Then in an instant the clouds obscured the amazing view and we retreated to safety below. I hope you enjoyed this little diversion and my newest black and white photography.

Click here to see more of my black and white photography .

Mountain Majesty
The rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado rise up to touch the storm clouds creating interesting matching angles. View from Mount Evans, Colorado
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends! I wish each of you a warm day surrounded by friends and family. May you enjoy your favorite traditional meal and eat your fill. May you smile and laugh with glee. May you get warm embraces and know you are loved. Know that I treasure your visits and send happiness your way. Hugs, Julie

This young hen turkey decides she likes the large male turkey that struts for her and tentatively approaches him for a closer look. This little dance was happening in our driveway last spring.

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Blustery Day - Colorado Rocky Mountains

It was a blustery day in the northern Colorado Rockies. This view from our deck, looking southeast, is often the direction we see weather coming and at times it can be dramatic. A small snow squall was heading toward our home quite quickly and I ran outside to shoot some photos before the sunny blue sky was covered by the cloud of swirling snow. The wind likes to follow the contours of the land and the first icy finger of the small storm raced up the ravine next to our home. I admit it. I love watching weather!

Blustery Day
A snow squall blows through a pine forest under a blue winter sky in northern Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Mountain Valley View - Colorado Rocky Mountains

It is the first snowfall. It arrived late this year and followed a sunny summery autumn. So imagine the shockingly cold surprise and sparkling white beauty of this season's first snow. As I breathed in the prickly fine air the world about me seemed new. The sun was catching the fine crystals setting off brilliant sparks on each tree and bush. As I looked down our mountain valley to distant peaks all the shades of winter's blue were around me. My favorite color. I hope you enjoy it too.

Mountain Valley View
The distant hazy blue Rocky Mountains of Colorado are seen through a picture frame of snow clad pines.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Copper Cascades, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

There is something soothing about the sound of water trickling over rock. It is a natural background for deep thought and meditation. It has the power to transport and instantly relax. This wild mountain creek is the beginning of the Fall River in Rocky Mountain National Park. I can imagine by now, with the snow steadily falling outside, that it is frozen in an icy cold beauty. Its voice has been silenced, but I know that just as nature awakens in the spring its music will return.

Copper Cascades
Sun glistening rivulets of water cascade over a russet colored rock in coppery streams of color in a dynamic wild mountain river. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Rocky Mountain National Park Landscapes - Lawn Lake Trail

On July 15, 1982 an earthen dam in Rocky Mountain National Park failed resulting in the death of three campers and $31 million in property damage in Estes Park, Colorado. The reason I mention the Lawn Lake Flood is because after 28 years the area, though still scarred, also has amazing beauty. This past summer I enjoyed hiking the trail once again. The debris of giant boulders and logs are sprinkled with wildflowers and new life. Mother nature inspires us with her healing resilience once again.

Mountain View
A distant peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado is seen through a pine forest with purple wildflowers blooming near fallen tree trunks.
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Lawn Lake Trail
Purple wildflowers grow amongst rocks and weathered logs on the Lawn Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Red Floral Verbena

I was looking through some photos that I took this past summer and this vibrant scarlet flower jumped out at me. Sometimes it is just plain hard to let go of summer's beautiful color and bounty. So to hold on just a little bit longer to the warm glow of summer past and carry it with us into the slumbering winter months I share with you my way of seeing a brilliant red verbena. Enjoy!

Red Verbena
A bright warm red verbena stands out in a summer garden in Colorado.
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Thank you Bonnie for correctly identifying the flower as a verbena!

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Botanical Nature Abstract - Aqua Spray

As I gaze at the natural view of autumn grass I am inspired by the beauty and invent a playful landscape. In the magical world of imagination a tuft of grass is transformed into a fountain spraying aqua blue water reminding me of the jets of water skyrocketing at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Daydreaming can be great fun.

Aqua Spray
A tuft of grass bursts into a fountain of aqua color.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Autumn in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado makes me think of elk. The young bachelors, who lazily hang out all summer getting strong on the lush new grass, become restless and seek to dethrone an old bull by capturing his females. It is an exciting time in the life of an elk and just as exciting for me to watch. This summer I came upon one of those bachelor herds of young bulls and they were magnificent. Each one looked very capable of stealing a harem for his own. I wonder if any of the challengers have been successful and are now the one to be challenged?

Proud Elk
Bull elk in meadow of alpine tundra at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Elk Pond
A mature bull elk with velvet covered antlers stands by a mountain pond in Rocky Mountain Park, Colorado.
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Mountain Elk
A bull elk walks through the lush green summer tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Venetian Gondola Serenade

O Sole Mio! I can not help but have this song run through my mind when I see a gondola. It is one of the most famous Italian songs in the world. I have heard that even though Venetian gondoliers sing this song for tourists it is actually a Neapolitan song. If my photo has gotten you in the mood for Italian serenades check out more Italian songs here.

Venetian Gondola
A romantic Italian gondola rocks gently in the aqua blue canal at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Vintage 1957 GMC Pickup Truck

The year was 1957. "American Bandstand," which featured teenagers dancing to Top 40 chart music hosted by Dick Clark, makes its network debut on ABC. The Volkswagen Beetle reached it's 2 millionth vehicle and a gallon of gas cost 24 cents. The first space satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by Russia, then the Soviet Union. Kids played with Slinkys and Hula Hoops. Denim jeans were only $2.49. Jobs were plentiful and times were good. And fifty-three years later those good times continue to roll for this aqua blue beauty of a pickup.

1957 GMC Pickup Truck
A vintage 1957 aqua blue GMC pickup truck catches the last light under a pink sunset outside of a darkened Harbor Freight Tool Store. Fort Collins, Colorado
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Venetian Stroll Las Vegas Style

The day was perfect. It was warm but not hot by Vegas standards with a mild breeze blowing. Our destination was The Venetian Hotel. We walked through the milling crowds all with the same purpose; having fun. There are many ways to accomplish this and one of my favorites is shooting photography. As I looked down the colonnade there was a lull in the constant foot traffic and I quickly took this photo. Then the wave of people surged once again into the frame. It occurred to me that this ebb and flow is much like nature. Sometimes you have to allow things to unfold to catch the perfect moment.

Venetian Stroll
Two people are dwarfed by the beautiful classical colonnade architecture at the famous Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Elk Meadow

This time of year in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, you might hear a high pitched whistle coming from the alpine meadows. It is the sound of a bull elk calling to claim his harem and challenge other bulls. The sound makes me think of autumn campfires and coyote cries taking me to another era in time, one long long ago. My spirit craves this and I find myself wandering with the herd keeping watch and feeling alive. Sights sounds smells mingle in the primal musk of procreation and life. Nature continues.

Elk Meadow
A bull elk is found walking through an alpine meadow. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Elk Flower
A bull elk is grazing on purple flowers in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Elk Herd Resting
An elk herd is resting in a high alpine summer meadow with snow patched mountains all around. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen